American rider Luke Lamperti won a bunch sprint on stage 1 of Paris-Nice on Sunday after a late crash split the peloton in the run-up to the finish.

The eight-day race known as the "Race to the Sun" ends March 15 in Nice after crossing a broad variety of terrain including demanding mountain stages.

Lamperti, riding for EF Education-EasyPost, beat Belgian Vito Braet at the line, with Venezuelan Orluis Aular finishing third after the hilly 170km opener.

The late crash fractured the peloton in the closing kilometers, leaving only a reduced group to contest the sprint finish.

"It's super special," he said. "My first win with the team.

"It was hectic. We started early, delivered until the last 200 meters to do it on my own. 

"I know I've been going well, to get a win and the momentum is big for my career, and also heading to the classics."

Jonas Vingegaard Leads Favorites For Overall Victory

Monday's second stage is a flat 187km route followed by a team time trial, before four more hilly stages and a decisive mountain finish later in the week.

Two-time Tour de France winner Jonas Vingegaard is among the favorites for overall victory, with Spaniard Juan Ayuso and new INEOS Grenadiers signing Oscar Onley also expected to challenge.